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Johannesburg - Following his recent
impressive form for club and country, Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates striker
Thamsanqa Gabuza has admitted that he was overwhelmed to receive an unexpected
national team call-up three weeks ago.

The rejuvenated Ladysmith-born target-man
earned plaudits from the South African football fraternity after grabbing two goals in the last three matches for Bafana.

He is also likely to lead the team when
they face Mauritius in the 2016 CHAN qualifiers second leg encounter on
Saturday.

Gabuza, 27, hinted that being included in
the starting XI against Gambia three weeks ago was amazing and he could not
believe his luck when he read his name before he began training with Shakes
Mashaba’s men.

“I felt like I was dreaming and my phone
was off when SAFA called me,” said Gabuza.

“I always switch my phone off when I sleep
at night and at the time I was at home in KwaZulu-Natal for the holidays.

“In the morning my mom came running and
knocking at my door, screaming with joy 'Thamsanqa, Thamsanqa vuka (wake up),
Pirates office called and they are looking for you, call them urgently'.

“By that time I was so surprised because it
was the second day of our holidays.

“When I called Pirates then they told me
that I have been called up to play for Bafana against Gambia. 'What!? Me?' I asked
them and they confirmed.

“I went to camp with confidence because I
was still fit as we are still playing the (CAF) Confederation Cup.

“And when I got to camp, before I even
trained with the team, I saw my name on the starting line-up and I asked myself
if it’s real or maybe I was dreaming.

“It was very overwhelming that I managed to
earn myself a national call-up in a short space of time.

“But I grabbed the opportunity to represent
my country with both hands and I’m grateful for that,” he concluded.

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